Dan Gross: Too Tuff's out of jail

CONGRATULATIONS to

DJ Too Tuff

of legendary Philly hip-hop act

Tuff Crew

. On Tuesday, assault charges against him were dismissed during a hearing at the Criminal Justice Center.

Too Tuff, born Joseph Hicks, is battling thyroid cancer. Until recently, he was incarcerated at the House of Correction over an assault charge stemming from a fight at Silk City (5th & Spring Garden) around Thanksgiving 2008.

Hicks, a St. Joe's Prep grad who has inspired many DJs, including the late DJ AM, says he thanks his legal dream team of Katherine Muns and Adrienne Kosin-ski of the Defender Association, as well as "all who supported Too Tuff and believed in God, the justice system and the values of love, loyalty and altruism."

He's excited to get back to working on music and is lining up some DJ and producing gigs.

* While Too Tuff is free, his pal and Tuff

Crew collaborator Emcee Mechanism is in a federal detention center in Brooklyn, charged with allegedly trying to bring a gun on to a plane.

Too Tuff is asking "true hip-hop fans to write him during his down time in the belly." You can write him at Rashid Milledge #61597-066 MDC Brooklyn, Box 329002, Brooklyn, NY 11232.

Ladies, strip for your Valentine

Cheerleaders (Front & Oregon) says it's time for women to stop being selfish on Valentine's Day. The gentlemen's club is opening its couch dance rooms and private champagne courts to couples so women can dance for their man.

Couch dances are $20 a song, as they are from one of the dancers at the club (or so we hear). Private champagne booths are available for $300, which includes four drinks and all gratuities. Women can doll up in a private bathroom.

The promotion is also being held at the Cheerleaders (54 Crescent) in Gloucester City. Sounds like the one day of the year you won't get tossed out for inappropriate touching.

Ikea hosts speed-dating in bed

Speed-dating seems awkward enough; imagine trying it in bed. You can on Saturday at Ikea (2206 S. Columbus), where at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Match.com and local event company the Phoenix will host speed-dating sessions in the bed department. People will be paired based on their style of sleep for 5-minute speed dates, which will take place in bed. We hope this is not a sign of how long a guy would last in bed if things work out. Register in advance at sleepmatespeeddate.eventbrite. com or 215-668-8171. Prizes include Match.com gift cards and Ikea romantic gift bags. The store also offers to host the wedding of any couple who meet at the event and end up marrying. Because who wouldn't want to get married at Ikea and have those little meatballs for their guests?

Philly music man at Rock Hall

Philly music veteran Weldon McDougal is off to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland next week to deliver a program called "From Songwriters to Soundmen: The People Behind the Hits."

The West Philly native knows what that's like. When he was 12, McDougal started singing with the Larks. Later, he formed the record label Harthon with his buddies Johnny Stiles and Luther Randolph. He went on to work for Motown Records, where, he says, he was instrumental in signing the Jackson 5, and for Philadelphia International records, where he helped bring Lou Rawls to the label. McDougal, 73, produced local artists such as Eddie Holman, the Volcanoes and Barbara Mason, including her hit "Yes, I'm Ready," one of the first songs to have the lush orchestral sound that would go on to define Philly soul. Also a photographer, McDougal will show pictures he took of acts like Billy Paul and Lee Andrews and the Hearts at his Wednesday show.

Musicians helping Haiti

Nasty Habits, featuring the People Paper's Chuck Darrow, performs Saturday night in the Musicians Acting to Support Haiti show at Taylor's (2310 Rt. 70 W) in Cherry Hill, along with BD Mylo and the Go Daddy's, Pineland Medicine Band and the Elwood James Band. Show

runs from 5 to 10. Admission is $20.

* On Feb. 19, Manayunk's Dawson StreetPub (100 Dawson) hosts a show, co-sponsored by Yards Brewery, featuring the Cabin Dogs, the Adam Monaco Band, and Brett Morgan and Ted Van Berg of the Off-Duty Superheroes. The show starts at 9, with a suggested donation of $10. Proceeds aid the Haitian Professionals of Philadelphia relief efforts.

Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest updates. Call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com.